California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two bills aimed at protecting actors and performers from unauthorized use of their digital likenesses. The bills give legal protections to performers during their lifetimes and after death. The new laws address concerns over artificial intelligence impacting artists’ work. SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher praised the legislation, saying it addresses threats posed by AI to workers. One of the laws, AB 2602, protects artists from being bound to contracts that allow the use of their digital voices or images. The other law, AB 1836, specifically protects digital likenesses as part of performers’ posthumous right of publicity.
The legislation allows rights holders for deceased personalities to sue if digital replicas of them are used without permission. It also requires contract holders to notify the other party if clauses allowing the use of digital likenesses are no longer valid. The laws aim to prevent unauthorized use of performers’ digital images and voices, which has become a growing concern in the entertainment industry.
The future of generative AI and its potential to replace human work has been a contentious issue in Hollywood, with actors and writers expressing concerns over the impact of AI on their livelihoods. The legislation aims to address these concerns and ensure that performers have control over the use of their digital likenesses. Newsom is also considering signing another bill that would require AI developers to comply with safety and security guidelines. The legislation has received support from advocacy groups and actors like Mark Ruffalo, who emphasize the importance of regulating AI to prevent potential negative consequences.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
